Verse 1:
The speaker is talking about a failed relationship that he simply can't get over. And while he combs over the memories and tries to find fault in a single person (arguably the woman the speaking was dating), He realizes that there is no innocent party. That both played a factor in their relationship's demise.
Verse 2:
It reminds me of the saying: Every lie has a kernel of truth. We unintentionally show our true selves during those moments of lying, It's human nature. And while some may overlook these "little" white lies, The speaker can't help but dwell on them. Especially, as mentioned in verse 1, when he's combing over these memories to find what went wrong.
Chorus:
And regardless of what went wrong or how you have been wronged or who wronged you, Eventually you have to say: Things Happen. Letting yourself dwell on the past simply eats you up and prevents you from moving on and trying to better yourself.
Verse 3:
The verse goes in line with the chorus. The speaker now accepts that he has to be different and move on so he's driving out to Oakland to clear his mind and find a new way to clear a path forward in life.
Bridge:
The speaker ultimately decides that in order to move forward, He once again has to revisit the past and visit his ex, Lily. And it seems that while the two have chemistry together, Things simply never work out. The line about the magnets is a perfect reflection of this. With magnets, Opposites attract, North and South. Two north magnets (or two dead ends) aren't compatible. It's a way for the speaker to say that while ultimately, They have no issue being friends or at times lovers, They will never be anything more because they simply don't click.
So overall, I view this as a reflection of a failed relationship and the speaker slowly moving towards the acceptance that "Things Happen" and it's about getting back up and moving forward after getting knocked down.
@Pokemystroke I dig it. If memory serves Oakland is across a body, the Pacific or an inlet, from San Fransisco, which could symbolize crossing over into new awareness. They say water is usually sexual in dreams, could apply here, maybe not intended. This could be a flip side of Elvis Costello's "Accidents Will Happen," similar idiom title, but Elvis typically dumps the motherlode of guilt on the girl. He does say "I used to be the victim but I'm not the only one," but doesn't detail his faults, just leaves it at "I know what...
@Pokemystroke I dig it. If memory serves Oakland is across a body, the Pacific or an inlet, from San Fransisco, which could symbolize crossing over into new awareness. They say water is usually sexual in dreams, could apply here, maybe not intended. This could be a flip side of Elvis Costello's "Accidents Will Happen," similar idiom title, but Elvis typically dumps the motherlode of guilt on the girl. He does say "I used to be the victim but I'm not the only one," but doesn't detail his faults, just leaves it at "I know what I've done," and it echoes at the end like his mind saying "Yeah, you still need to deal with it." "Things Happen" is a grown up taking bigger steps down the line & questioning judgement altogether.
Verse 1: The speaker is talking about a failed relationship that he simply can't get over. And while he combs over the memories and tries to find fault in a single person (arguably the woman the speaking was dating), He realizes that there is no innocent party. That both played a factor in their relationship's demise.
Verse 2: It reminds me of the saying: Every lie has a kernel of truth. We unintentionally show our true selves during those moments of lying, It's human nature. And while some may overlook these "little" white lies, The speaker can't help but dwell on them. Especially, as mentioned in verse 1, when he's combing over these memories to find what went wrong.
Chorus: And regardless of what went wrong or how you have been wronged or who wronged you, Eventually you have to say: Things Happen. Letting yourself dwell on the past simply eats you up and prevents you from moving on and trying to better yourself.
Verse 3: The verse goes in line with the chorus. The speaker now accepts that he has to be different and move on so he's driving out to Oakland to clear his mind and find a new way to clear a path forward in life.
Bridge: The speaker ultimately decides that in order to move forward, He once again has to revisit the past and visit his ex, Lily. And it seems that while the two have chemistry together, Things simply never work out. The line about the magnets is a perfect reflection of this. With magnets, Opposites attract, North and South. Two north magnets (or two dead ends) aren't compatible. It's a way for the speaker to say that while ultimately, They have no issue being friends or at times lovers, They will never be anything more because they simply don't click.
So overall, I view this as a reflection of a failed relationship and the speaker slowly moving towards the acceptance that "Things Happen" and it's about getting back up and moving forward after getting knocked down.
@Pokemystroke I dig it. If memory serves Oakland is across a body, the Pacific or an inlet, from San Fransisco, which could symbolize crossing over into new awareness. They say water is usually sexual in dreams, could apply here, maybe not intended. This could be a flip side of Elvis Costello's "Accidents Will Happen," similar idiom title, but Elvis typically dumps the motherlode of guilt on the girl. He does say "I used to be the victim but I'm not the only one," but doesn't detail his faults, just leaves it at "I know what...
@Pokemystroke I dig it. If memory serves Oakland is across a body, the Pacific or an inlet, from San Fransisco, which could symbolize crossing over into new awareness. They say water is usually sexual in dreams, could apply here, maybe not intended. This could be a flip side of Elvis Costello's "Accidents Will Happen," similar idiom title, but Elvis typically dumps the motherlode of guilt on the girl. He does say "I used to be the victim but I'm not the only one," but doesn't detail his faults, just leaves it at "I know what I've done," and it echoes at the end like his mind saying "Yeah, you still need to deal with it." "Things Happen" is a grown up taking bigger steps down the line & questioning judgement altogether.